Creating a Safe Haven: How to Set Up a Camping Dog Pen

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How to Pick the Right Type of Pen

Depending on your dog’s breed and how you want to use your camping dog pen, there are two different styles to choose from.

Portable Dog Barriers

Portable dog barriers are semi-permanent fences that come in a variety of sizes. With each set that you purchase, you’ll receive a certain amount of panels and the pegs needed to secure them.

Depending on the type of dog you have, you might need to buy multiple boxes to create a large enough area for them to feel comfortable. This is also true depending on how you want to include the fence in your campsite setup.

Portable Playpens

The main thing that separates dog playpens from barriers is that playpens are closed structures. Certain products will allow you to change the shape, but panels cannot be removed or added.

This restriction on their size makes playpens more of a short-term option for your dog to nap. Especially if you have a larger dog or a breed that needs lots of exercise.

Unlike barriers, you can also get a fully enclosed playpen with a roof. Whether you want a soft-sided one or one made of metal fencing, this type of camping dog pen will give you the most security.

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Portable Dog Barriers

The customizable aspect of dog barriers gives you a lot more options for setting up your campsite.

Size

To choose the right camping dog pen size for you, consider both the height of the barriers and the room you want your dog to have.

For smaller dogs, the 24 and 32-inch high panels are sufficient. For larger dogs, the 40 to 50-inch panels are better. But they are still not tall enough to keep certain breeds from jumping over.

And that goes for other animals as well. Any camping dog pen with a fence shorter than 6 feet will not keep out some of the big animals you can encounter in the wild. That’s why it’s important always to keep an eye on your pet when camping.

In terms of space, it’s always best to give them enough room to play and run around. For small breeds, that can be as little as four squared feet. And for larger breeds, you should double that. The more room they have, the longer periods of time they can stay in the pen.

Fence Materials

Camping dog pen fences are usually made of plastic, metal, or steel. High-quality products from any of the materials are equally as good.

When buying metal or steel fences, make sure they have some sort of anti-corrosion coating to protect them from weather conditions. You also want to make sure the bars aren’t so thin that they bend easily.

Getting the plastic fences can be more of a wild card. There are well-made, durable options, but it can be hard to tell without physically touching them.

Pegs

The durability of your pegs is very important. It doesn’t matter how well the fences hold against the weight of your dog if the pegs can’t stay grounded.

Metal pegs are always the best option here. They are easier to hammer into the ground, and they will always be more durable.

The length of the peg is also a factor. For rocky or swampy terrain, you need a long anchor that can burrow past the loose ground on the surface. This might mean you have to buy your tent pegs separately.

How To Set Up

Camping dog pens can be stand-alone structures or incorporated into the entire camping setup.

Stand Alone

Your pen should always be placed on flat ground and with at least partial shade. The best option is to customize the shape for the available flat ground at each campsite. While also maximizing on open space in the middle for them to run.

A circular layout is best if there’s lots of usable ground and you have a pen large enough to create an exercise area for your dog. That way, they can make the most of their zoomies when excitement takes over, and they need to run a few laps.

RV Camping

The most common camping dog pen set up for RV campers is the front-yard style. With the fencing panels, enclose the front area of your RV with a three-sided barrier. That way, the door to the camper can be left open, and your dog can roam in and out of the camper freely.

You will need to purchase a smaller, more flexible fence that can be placed in front of the gap underneath your RV. That way, all avenues of escape have been safely secured.

Tent Camping

If you have a big enough camping dog pen, consider setting up your tent within the barriers. This will make your dog feel more connected.

It also allows you to leave the tent open so that air can circulate without adding the worry of a runaway dog.

Truck Camping

The camping dog pen setup for slide-in truck campers will be the same as the RV setup.

For canopy truck campers, the added height of your entrance needs to be considered. You can still set up a front-yard-style barrier, but the shape needs to be different.

Place a few panels perpendicular to the back hatch of your truck before extending the front yard outward. This added space on either side of your truck’s entrance will make it harder for your dog to jump straight from your truck bed to the other side of the fence.

The best option for truck campers using a rooftop tent is a stand-alone camping dog pen. Unless your tent setup still allows you access to your truck bed, and that’s where your dog sleeps. In that case, the canopy setup will work.

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Portable Playpens

The design of a playpen doesn’t allow for lots of adjustments, so there’s less to think about when setting them up.

How to Set Up

Playpens are made in either a fold-out or pull-out design. The fenced playpens are easiest to fold out when laid on the ground. Especially the heavy metal ones.

For soft-sided playpens that fold out, once out of the packaging, they will usually pop into their proper form. The challenge is often getting them back into their folded state.

The pull-out playpens are made with an accordion design. Depending on the materials used, it can be easy to pull too much and damage the hard outer structure.

Roofed Playpens

Whether the walls of your camping dog pen are soft-sided or made with metal fencing, it’s always better to have at least a semi-solid roof.

As you move around your campsite, you want your dog in your line of sight as much as possible. This often places them in the middle, where tree coverage is not guaranteed. And a solid roof alleviates worries of sun exposure when picking your setup location.

But you still want to check the pen every once in a while to make sure the materials aren’t getting too hot.

Tips and Tricks

Playpens that come with a floor often don’t include pegs. When your dog is in them, they are not necessary, but, the minute your dog leaves, it can easily fly away. Placing a rock in one of the corners is an easy way to prevent that.

Soft-sided playpens will hold onto smells a lot more than a fenced playpen. The spot you pick for your setup and how long your dog is left in the pen will be that much more important. A clean playpen is a much nicer traveling companion.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I also need a dog crate?

That depends on where you would like your dog to sleep. If they are sleeping in your bed with you then a crate is unnecessary. But campers that prefer a separate sleeping area for their pets should definitely consider bringing a crate along.

Should I still tie my dog out inside the barriers?

If you are worried about your dog being able to hop the barriers, you can either switch to a playpen or tie your dog to a post that limits its movements. If you tie them out, a camping dog pen isn’t necessary.

Is it ok to leave my dog outside overnight when camping?

You should never leave your dog unattended for long periods of time, especially overnight. Camping dog pens won’t fully protect from the wild animals that come out at night. And leaving them outside brings a bigger risk of hypothermia.

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Wrapping Up How to Set Up a Camping Dog Pen

You never want to risk your dog’s safety when out in the woods. On your next trip, be sure to check out this article on camping dog pens to turn any campsite into a safe haven for your pet!

And if you’re looking to pick out a new bed, check out our article on The Best Dog Bed for Camping!